Machine for applying plasticizer to paper



Nov. 22, 1955 H. J. FOWLER ET MACHINE FOR APPLYING PLASTICIZER TO PAPERFiled March 28, 1952 lUH I UH:

INVENTORS United States Patent Ofiice Patented Nov. 22, 1955 MACHINE FORAPPLYING PLASTICI ZER -T PAPER Application March 28 1952, Serial No.279,024

2 Claims. (Cl. 118-246) The present invention relates generally toimprovements in the art of paper making, and relates more particularlyto improvements in the construction and operation of apparatus forapplying plasticizer to paper sheets or webs.

his a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedpaper plasticizing apparatus which is extremely simple and compact inconstruction and which is moreover highly efiicient and economical inoperation.

Due to the inherent hardness and brittleness of paper sheets producedfrom highly hydrated fibers, such as glassine paper, it has heretoforebecome common practice to treat such papers with certain softening orplasticizing substances in order to render the sameflsatisfactory forwrapping, packaging and other purposes. One type of plasticizer whichhas been proposed and has proven extremely effective in the treatment ofglassine papers and the like is .that described in Patent No. 2,403,697,dated July 9, 1946, to Herbert B. Wenberg, and the plasticizer andmethod of application set forth in this patent have been successfullyemployed by various paper manu l facturers in recent years. It has alsobeen propos ed to apply the plasticizer to the paper by means ofapplicator rolls before the paper reaches the dryers of the paper,

machine and while it is still in wet condition, and one form of suchplasticizer applying apparatus which has proven quite satisfactory inactual use by diversepaper manufacturers is shown and described inPatent No. 2,093,347, dated Septemberl4, 1937, to CE. Beecher. However,while the apparatus of Patent No. 2,093,347 has met withconsiderablecommercial success and has therefore been quite widely employed, certaindifiiculties have nevertheless been encountered in the use of suchapparatus, particularly with respect to the maintenance of constantspeedof the applicator rolls, proper even distribution of plasticizeracross the sheet or web, proper synchronization in the speed of therolls relative to the speed of the web as well as adjustments, in thepressure or degree of circumferential contact of the applicator rollswith respect to the web, and transmission of sutficient quantities ofsolution to the sheet or web to obtain the desired amount ofimpregnation. f

It is therefore a more specific objectof this invention to provide animproved paper plasticiz ing device which obviates all of thedisadvantages and objections heretofore attendant similar devices. v

Another specific object of our present invention is to provide animproved apparatus for applying plasticizer to paper, which comprisesrelatively few parts which are all readily accessible-for inspection,replacement or repair, and wherein the speed of the pick-upandapplicator rolls may be readily properly synchronized with the speedof the advancing web. w i

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improveddevice for applying plasticizer to advancing paper webs in which theplasticizer is applied to. the web by mean s of a universally adjustableapplicator roll adapted to be readily maintained at a proper constantrate of speed so as to effect uniform application throughout the lengthof travel of the web in advance of the dryers of the paper machine.

Another specific object of our invention is to provide an improved paperplasticizing apparatus embodying applicator and pick-up rolls of novelconstruction. adapted to operate smoothly and with utmost efiiciency andto distribute the plasticizer evenly across the sheet or web duringadvancement thereof and without interruption.

Still another specific object of our present invention is to provide animproved unitary paper plasticizing device in which the applicator andpick-up rolls may be. readily adjusted relative to each other, andwherein the advancing paper web may likewise be adjusted in an extremelysimple manner to eifect desired variations in the pressure or degree ofcircumferential contact thereof relative to the applicator roll.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved paper plasticizing apparatus which may be readily installed andoperated with standard paper making equipment, and so constructed anddesigned that a single unitary device is sufficient for transmitting thenecessary quantities of plasticizing solution to the traveling web toobtainthe desired impregnation thereof.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting our presentimprovements, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing paperplasticizing devices embodying the invention, may be had by referring tothe drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification,wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts inthe various views.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the so-called wet-end portion oftypical paper making apparatus with the im proved plasticizing devicediagrammatically depicted be. tween the press rolls and dryers thereofand showing a paper web advancing therealong; a

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the typical paper making apparatusand plasticizing device of Fig. l but with the paper web removed for thesake of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side view plasticizing unitembodying the invenapparatus for plasticizing diverse types of paperswith equal success; and it is also contemplated that certain specificdescriptive terms utilized herein shall be given the broadest possibleinterpretation consistent with the disclosure. i i

Referring to the drawing, the improved paper plasticiz-- mg deviceembodying the invention is preferably dis-,

posed between suitable idler rolls 7, 8 over which the wet paper web 9is longitudinally advanced frombetween:

the usual press or couch rolls 10 to the dryeridrums or rolls 11 ofconventional paper making apparatus, the web 9 being guided to the pressrolls 10 by means of suitable guide rolls 12 at the Wet-end of themachine; audit is of course understood that the various rolls arejournalled in suitable bearings in the usual manner, the con-- ventionalapparatus being illustrated diagrammatically;

plasticizer to the longitudinally advancing web of wet paper comprises,in general a pair of peripherally coacting rolls 14, 15 extendingtransversely across the path offh'e web"? and b'eneath'the same betweenthe idler rolls 7, 8, the rolls 14, 15 being disposed one above theother with the upper roll 14 being of considerably smaller diameter thanthe lower roll 15; means such as an upwardly open receptacle ortrough 16containing a supply of plasticizer in which the large diameter tran fer:roll '15 is partially immersed for constantly supplyingthe'plasti'c'iz'ing substance to the periphery of the roll '15 fortransmission to the periphery of the small diameter'applica'torfroll "14upon rotation of the rolls; :and means such as a verticallyadjustableguide roll 17 contacting the underside of the advancing web inadvance df'itheroll 14 for raising and lowering the web 9' intocontactwith the peripheral surface of roll 14 remote from the roll 15 tovariable circumferential extents throughout the travel of the web toeffect even application of'v'ariable amounts of plasticizer thereto, theroll 17 being movable upwardly a ,sufficient distance to enable the'we'b9 to entirely clear the roll 14 to thereby enable the web tube runwithout 'plasticizing treatment if desired.

The trough 16 may be constantly supplied .with the plasticizer in anysuitable manner, and the large roll 15 is 'journal'led in end bearings18 and is driven in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 in synchronismwith the .press rolls v by any suitable drive means such as the variablebelt 19 and pulleys 20, 21 shown in Fig. 2. In addition .to thedifferential in the sizes .of the rolls '1'4, 1'5, the larger roll isformed with a resilien't peripheralpickup surface .23 preferably of No.tpl'astometer rubber, and the smaller applicator roll 14 is formed ofbrass with a roughened peripheral transfer surface 324 as clearly shownin Fig. 4, the knurls preferably being approximately -0035 to .0045 inchin depth with the small pockets thus formed metering the plasticizerthroughout the width of the adjacent surfaces of the rolls 14, '15 tothereby result in a more even application of ,plasticizer across thewidth of the web as well as the transfer of larger volumes of thesolution thus allowing better distribution and penetration into thepaper.

To insureproper peripheral coaction between therolls 14, 15 and permitadjustments in the degree or amount of transfer of plasticizer from theroll 15 to the roll 14, means are provided for effecting variousadjustments of the roll 14 relative to the .roll 15. .Onesuch adjustmentt consists in means for shifting the smaller roll 14 :angularly relativeto the peripheral surface of the :large roll 15; and .to effect suchangular adjustment, ,the ,rnainsupporting'frame 25 for the .roll"14,isprovided with 'apivot ,26

depending from its base through the mounting plate 27, thebase of theframe .25 being provided with arcuate slots 28 surrounding the pivot .26to permit reception of fastening bolts 29 for securing the ,frame'in any.desired "position of adjustment about its vertical pivot and the roll14 in exact alinement Withor in different desired positions ofangularity with respect to the periphery of the roll 15. In addition,the small roll v14 is :(movable horizontally relative to .theroll 15tbymounting :the ,same on a carriage '30 having screw threaded coactionwith a horizontal threaded adjustment rod31 having .a;rnanipulatedhandle 3.2 and .rotatably journalledin vertical arms 33 .of the frame25., the carriage being ,guided in its movement upon rotation of the rod31 by a guide bar 34 to thereby permit adjustment of the roll :14 todifferent positions in a horizontal :plane across "the :roll 15. Also,the "applicator roll 1-4-:is movable to different positions ofadjustment arcuately toward and awayi-from the periphery of the larger011 15 by mounting the bracket 315 .in which the roll isrjournalled5011 a horizontal pivot 37 providing a ithreaded iadjustment :rod 38 andadjustment knob or head 39 at the end of the bracket 36 remote from theroll 14 so-as to permit swinging movement of the bracket 36 about thepivot and consequent swinging of the roll 14 arcuately toward and awayfrom the roll 15 and entirely away from the periphery thereof ifdesired.

As indicated, the guide roll 17 is adjustable vertically so as to raiseand lower the web 9 with respect to the periphery of the roll 14 tothereby cause the web to contact the peripheral surface of the roll 14to variable circumferential extents, and a convenient means for movingthe roll 17 vertically comprises a slide 41 on which the roll 17 isjournalled, the slide being guided for movement in a vertical frame 42upon rotation of a threaded adjustment rod 43 cooperating with the slide41 at one end and having a manipulating handle 44 at its opposite end.It is therefore apparent that the rolls 17-, 8 cooperate to guide theWeb 9 .over the applicator roll 14 and lend support to therelativelyheavy wet paper web; and to preventslippage of the web *9transversely and thereby guide the web more evenly to the dryers 11 aswell as to more uniformly'spreadthe plasticizer over and into the web'as it leaves the applicator roll ,14, it is preferable to cover theperipheral surface 45 of the roll 8 with left or the like.

"From the foregoing detailed'description, it is believed appa'reritthatwe "have provided an'improved paper plasticizing apparatus which isexceedingly simple, compact and durable in construction, andwhic'h ismoreover highly efficient and susceptible of accurate adjustment inactual use. has been eliminated -between the rolls 14, 15 and theserolls operate smoothly due to the differential in their diameters tosupply the desired quantities of plasticizers to the advancing paper weband evenly distribute the plasticizer'transversely across the web. Theuniformity of distribution of sufficiently large amounts of plasticizerto the web as it advances over the periphery of the roll 14isprimar'ilydue to "the formation of'the roll 15 with a rubber-peripheral surfaceand the formation of theroll 14- with 'a'knurled peripheral surface 24coupled with the means for varying the circumferential extends to whichthe advancing web is adapted to contact theperiphery of the applicatorroll. The universal adjustments for the roll 14 relative 'to the roll 15also enable positive uniform coaction between the peripheries .of theserolls so asto result in more uniform transfer of the plasticizedsubstance'from the receptacle '16 to the web ,9, and these adjustmentsmay be quickly effected in a simple manner in the present assemblage.Theimproved device is of unitary construction, andihas gone into actualcommercial use with amazingly excellent results far surpassing theresults achieved with prior devices. 'It has been found that completelysatisfactory results may be obtained through use of.a single unit inapplyingplasticizer such as disclosed in 'U. ,8. Patent 'No. 2,403,697thereby eliminating the need for additional applicators in many cases.

Allparts of the device are obviously readily available for inspection,replacement or repair, and asidefrom the need for occasional adjustmentto meet requirements :for different types or weights of paper beingtreated, the performance of the ,unit is entirely automatic.

It should be understood that it is not desired or ,intended to limitthis invention .to the exact details of construction or to the precisemode of operation or use herein-shown and described, since variousmodifications within the scope of the appended claims may occurtopersons skilled in theartto which this invention pertains.

We claim:

1.- Apparatus for applying plasticizer to an advancing web comprising atransfer roll of relatively large diameter mounted for rotation in fixedbearings adjacent a source of' plasticizer supply; an applicatorroll ofrelatively-smaller "diameter disposed in peripheral contacting relationwith saidtransfer roll "adapted to receive a reg- Throu'gh use of theimproved rdevice, chattering ulated supply of plasticizer from saidtransfer roll and to apply the same to the web; and means for adjustablysupporting said applicator roll so as to exactly regulate the amount ofplasticizer transferred to said applicator roll at the peripheral areasalong the length thereof; said supporting and regulating meanscomprising a unitary frame mounted for pivotal adjustment about avertical axis adjacent said transfer roll, a carriage mounted on saidframe for horizontal movement thereon toward and away from said transferroll, means for adjusting and retaining said carriage in predeterminedhorizontal adjustment, a bracket pivotally mounted on said carriage toswing about a horizontal axis, said bracket being provided with bearingsfor rotatably supporting said applicator roll, and means for adjustingand retaining said bracket in position about said pivot to provide there quired contacting pressure between said applicator roll and saidtransfer roll.

2. Apparatus for applying plasticizer to an advancing web as defined inclaim 1, and a vertically adjustable guide 6 roll, disposed adjacent tosaid applicator roll, adapted to contact the under surface of said webto raise and lower said web with respect to said applicator roll andthereby determine the circumferential extent of contact of said web withsaid applicator roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS720,629 Sherwood Feb. 17, 1903 1,350,789 Delaney et a1 Aug. 24, 19201,913,022 Dennis June 6, 1933 2,013,056 Knowlton Sept. 3, 1935 2,128,516Graham Aug. 30, 1938 2,213,419 Taylor Sept. 3, 1940 2,255,405 WildersonSept. 9, 1941 2,257,261 Knowlton Sept. 30, 1941 2,329,034 Buck et al.Sept. 7, 1943 2,374,096 Heywood et a1 Apr. 17, 1945

